[7] Python's Legacy

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^Qibli^

What I came home to wasn't exactly what I would have expected.

I stepped foot into the house... and was ambushed by a four-year-old.

"What the—" I started, taking a surprised step back, and then I realized who it was. "Hey, wait. Clover, is that you?" Clover, who wrapped her arms around one of my legs, looked up with a smile full of missing teeth.

"Does that mean..?" I looked up and saw Deathbringer sleeping soundly on my couch and the triplets sleeping on the floor right next to him. I turned my head to the right and saw that Glory was still wide awake with Lilly in her arms.

"Qibli, you're back," Glory whispered, trying to keep her voice quiet so she wouldn't wake the others. "Long time no see."

I blinked at her. "Uh. You're... in my house."

Glory grinned. "I am. Hey, would you mind waking Deathbringer and the triplets from their nap? We have to start getting ready for the funeral. It's in two hours at 6."

She seems so... happy. But how? Today is her youngest son's funeral. On top of that, Deathbringer taking a nap on a day like this? What's happened? I thought they were heartbroken.

Deathbringer even told me that Glory didn't leave her bed in weeks, just rotting there in her sweat and tears. But now... did they all go to therapy? How'd they find so much closure?

"I know what you're thinking," Glory said when I didn't move. "But honestly, we're fine. We'll be alright. Now, please, wake them up for me, will you?"

I looked down at Clover, who was still clinging to my leg. I crouched in front of her.

"Why, hello there," I said kindly. "You've gotten so big. How old are you now?"

"Four!" Clover held up six fingers.

I rested a hand on her head. "So you're a big girl, now? Wow." I stood up after getting myself free of her tight grasp. I shuffled around her tiny physique before walking into my living room. Sure enough, Deathbringer and the triplets were sound asleep, resting for such an important day.

I crouched beside Jade first, gently resting my hand on her shoulder. She didn't react to me in the slightest, so I shook her softly.

She groaned, turning away.

Well, this is going to take a while.

A few minutes later, I had the triplets rubbing their eyes and slowly sitting up.

"Uncle Qibli?" Jade squeaked, squinting her eyes at me. "Is that you? Are you finally home?"

I grinned. "Yup."

Her face lit up as she staggered to her feet and pulled me into a weak embrace.

"Hi," she whispered. I was pleased to see that I was still her favorite. "I can barely see, I'm so tired."

"I was wondering when you'd get back," Ember yawned, running a hand through her hair. Nightfall stood up and let out a tired sigh.

"Mind if I shower?" he asked, drenched in sweat.

"Not at all," I said, moving out of his way to allow him to pass through. There were only a few things that wouldn't leave my mind—the babies, the funeral, my death, and the 8 missing women.

Python. Why'd you have to go?

"*"

I sat in front of Moon as she peered closer to me, fixing my hair. First, she detangled it, which surprisingly took longer than I'd expected—though, only one of her arms was in good condition. Then, after desperate pleading, she let me keep the messy style only if I allowed her to at least put some gel in it, which I obviously agreed to.

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